Home Video Exclusives

[JohnIan101]

Target - October 24th, 2017


The Emoji: The Move
Exclusive popsocket; BD only $22.99

Stranger Things [Season One] (available now)
Exclusive packaging and poster; DVD/BD combo $24.99

E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $12.00

- - - - - - - - - -

CD available 10/27

"Rachel Platten - Waves" with 3 exclusive bonus tracks $9.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - Ollie Knows How To Use It Part I


[An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on October 24th, 2013 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

Better have LOTS bug spray handy. We close "Limited Edition Horror" 2017 with something very savage, otherworldly - just outside your door in "Stephen King's The Mist"...



The motion picture opened on November 21st, 2007. It was made with a budget of $18,000,000 (estimated) and grossed over $25 million during its U.S. theatrical run; counting foreign receipts it made $57,293,715. The film opened number twelve at the box office, the following week it raised to number eight.

The feature opened against "Enchanted", "No Country For Old Men", "Beowulf" and "American Gangster".



This release originally came with a cardboard foil slipcover which mirrored the case's wraparound. The initial pressing was a limited edition, came with a six page collectible booklet with chapter listings (above).

The wraparound gave no indication, just the slipcover - announced by sticker.

- - -

One exclusive; did not learn until years after the fact. Found while looking about my local swap meet (great place to find out of print DVDs), bought for two bucks.



Blockbuster Video had a rental with an exclusive bonus interview, "A Conversation With Stephen King And Frank Darabont" (run time of 12:18 minutes). I'm going to say... released on March 25th, 2008. Purchase price, unknown was a rental.

Don't rent and there were hardly any Blockbuster Video store here when they existed.

- - - - - - - - - -

Footnotes.

I'm cover this - audio fiction.



My first exposure to the classic was a broadcast in the mid 1980s on FM radio, NPR. They aired a dramatized adaptation.

I was riveted.

There was an ad at the end of the broadcast - on cassette. This was before the huge popularity of CDs. Found it at my local Barnes & Nobels in the mall.

What you see above is that tape; released, under license by Simon & Schuster in 1986 - long out of print in that format.



That cassette is in fact a re-release of an earlier tape from 1984; sold from the source, ZBS Foundation. Came with something that all future re-releases excluded. A thirteen minute featurette, "The Making Of The Mist".

How they created the 3D sound (I'll get into in a few) and the various disturbing sound effects - programs saved on floppies!

Did discover while researching this post that ZBS now offer that featurette for free; a 320 bit download. Sway!.

This is somewhat new (availability). I recall looking a few years back, wasn't there. A cool extra, how they used their cat's angry meow, transformed into real menace. A three month production with a cast of thirty-five. Not a book on tape deal - single person reading the book.



Mid 1993 was re-re-released on cassette once more, again by Simon & Schuster. In the fall of that year on CD (also by them). This fourth version was dubbed "The Compact Disc Nightmare Edition", a pure marketing ploy; no additional materials were included OR remastering done.

I own this, bought back in the day. Both the 1993 formats have the same cover image, the tentacle bursting out the front.

The audio... man, they need to remaster. Perhaps they did on the fifth iteration. All the dialog is far too low. It's damn near hard to hear when characters are whispering, that and the sound effects drown out what's being spoken. The above making-of has the same problem.



To coincide with the then new movie, the CD was put out once more (Simon & Schuster) in 2007. I do not own this. So I can't speak for the quality. Could be repaired or more of the same? *shrugs* The cover image was done by legendary poster creator, Drew Struzan. That art also appears on the limited DVD booklet, which you probably already noticed.

Okay, so what is 3D Sound?

It's official name is Kunstkopf Binaural - which means "art head". It's a German-manufactured recording item, Ku81. What's Ku81? It's a solid rubber head (German, yup) with microphones inside the inner ear chambers. Used to record (in stereo) it can perfectly capture sounds as you would hear in real life.

Not kidding, it can be freaky. A great example is the dragonfly insect inside the market. You WILL BE dodging a make-believe bug. It works okay with stereo speakers, but you'll experience the full 3D on headphones. Good stuff.

Yeah, I should. What is the ZBS Foundation?

Started by hippies; created in 1970, a non-profit company, that creates audio fictions. The best way to describe their stuff is as modern fables. Mostly sci-fi and new age/mysticism. These tales (on going series) which hope to raise consciousness on various issues - but never in your face. They are woven into the stories, modern fables. ZBS (Zero Bull ****) is the Pixar of audio fictions companies. Multi-level programs; kids can listen to them and get enjoyment as can adults with subtle, mature content.

Yes, I'm pimping them at the moment.

I own a good chuck of their CDs. My first ZBS tale was "Incredible Adventures Of Jack Flanders" (1978) heard over the radio. It took me MORE than a decade to figure out. You see, I caught only one episode and forgot what day and time I heard it (way before internet, no Google).

The program was edited into episodes. In short, Flanders is a metaphysical detective - he didn't start that way. He was a seeker who found other worlds and used his gain knowledge to help people. These are full cast productions with original music and sound effects - radio theater.

That particular series started in 1972 with "The Fourth Tower Of Inverness" and continues with "League Of The Green Velvet Chairs" (2016). All of which, FORTY-FOUR YEARS worth of stories (let that sink in) voiced by the same guy, Robert Lorick. Huge continuity! Twenty-six tales as it stands.

Their other big item is "Ruby: The Galactic Gumshoe", pretty much says it all. A very cool, sexy series. This really straddles the line between kid-friendly and adult. I still remember Karen Young doing the voice of Ruby 2 in "Ruby 2: The Further Adventures Of A Galactic Gumshoe" (1985). Oh god, that was so hot.

Young had such a perfect bedroom voice, if you catch my drift. Anyhow, they have various other shows like "Saratoga Springs" (1989), think "Twin Peaks" (1990) without the murder(s) and various stand alone stories.

Sure, it started with "Ruby: The Adventures Of A Galactic Gumshoe" in 1982; the current one is "Ruby 9.5" (2015); thirty-three years of programs all voiced by the same actor, Laura Esterman. A total of twelve tales.

Do seek them out, great stuff. Back to "The Mist". *nods*

No. Well. Kinda.

ZBS - their adaptation. Unlike the motion picture, it followed the Stephen King novella (ending is a bit different). Yeah. Some spoilers here.

The original novella (no conclusion), ends with David Drayton, his son Billy, Amanda Dumfries and Miss Repler leaving the market, driving through the mist hoping retrieve Stephanie (alive?). But a huge pine tree bars the entrance to his private road leading to the house. No way around it. David has to let go; his wife's fate unknown.

Concludes with our gang finding a reprieve in a Howard Johnson; a now nearly extinct motel chain for those not in the know. All of this was David's story - written on a motel stationery, events that started four day earlier.

They had seen parts of the towering beast while driving, six legs. It's now night, the rest are asleep; David is hearing thumping on the room's window, the insects crawling on it. And every now and again, a bang as one of the bird creatures picked a bug off the glass.

Unsure if they'll make it through the night. What he does know - he heard the word "Hartford" on a found AM radio in the manager's apartment. A warning? Salvation?

If they survive to morning, they'll get back in the car and try to make it there. The four-wheel drive has about enough gas for roughly ninety miles. And leave this chronicle behind for somebody to find. To know what had happened. The end.

The audio fiction ends with them driving through the haze and hearing "Hartford", garbled on the car's radio. Had the mist had spread far beyond the town, the world? ALL the CD editions (71:38 minutes) are abridged - some fifteen or so minutes were cut from the cassette presentations, so you know.

[JohnIan101]

Target - November 3rd, 2017


CDs

"Sam Smith - The Thrill Of It All" with 2 exclusive bonus tracks $13.99
"Maroon 5 - Red Pill Blues" with 4 exclusive bonus tracks and mini-poster $13.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - November 7th, 2017


Cars 3
Exclusive storybook packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

- - - - - - - - - -

CD

"Taylor Swift - Reputation"; two exclusive magazine - album bundles; Volume 1 or Volume 2 $19.99 (each)

"Sam Smith - The Thrill Of It All" with 2 exclusive bonus tracks $13.99 (available now)

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense


A brand new entry, all this month!!!

When you were in your twenties did you consider making your money outside the norm? Did you consider prostitution?? Think on that while having "The Girlfriend Experience".



"The Girlfriend Experience [Season One]" was released on home video on August 2nd, 2016.

It streeted against "Batman: The Killing Joke", "Mothers Day", "The Trust" and "Keanu".

This release originally came with a non-embossed cardboard slipcase which mirrored the wraparound. It also came with one small insert. An ad for Starz app; stream shows on iTunes and Google Play devices.

No air dates are listed. Two disc set in a standard two disc case. These are half hour episodes. It also came on Blu-Ray, same date.

- - -

There was one store exclusive.



Target offered an unlisted exclusive (as seen in the above weekly ad), a slipcover on street for $24.99. Hard to describe; it has texture to it, like some kind of fabric, but it's not. Interesting.

That's it.

Not much of an exclusive. But if you were going to buy (at the time), might as well get this one. *nods*

Found out about this item from a different message board, did not know at the time. In fact, I did not pick up until August 5th, that morning.

I was lucky to find mine. They had the DVDs, but were not shelved with the new releases.

Wait for it...

They were next to children's titles. WTF? The rear shelf, behind the kid DVDs and BDs.

'Mommy, I want to be sugar baby when I grow up.'

Whatever, your kid - not mine.

There were three copies, two had damaged slipcases, one didn't - took that one home. As I recall, I only saw DVD copies, not Blu-Rays with the exclusive slip. But I could be wrong.

- - - - - - - - - -

Rant.

A post that stirs, a shadow that casts an insatiable thirst drains a martini glass. There's no place sacred, no honest reflection.

- Jewel



Before I get to the series, I should make it clear - this is based on the 2009 film of the same; Steven Soderbergh directed the movie and is an executive producer on the show. That was released on DVD with an unrated version as a bonus. As to be expected, quite mature.

The motion picture is a notion for the series - loosely based would be far more accurate.

The movie stars former adult video starlet (award winning no less), Sasha Grey as Christine - her alias is Chelsea; set in Manhattan.

Her troubles getting her fees and keeping clients as this is the financial crisis period.

None of the film actors/actress carried over.

The series is pretty much in name only in regard to our main character. Movie Christine makes several bad decisions and learns nothing from them.

From the show we get an expanded universe of her high end call girl service...



Riley Keough plays Christine Reade - her alias is Chelsea Rayne. A law student studying copy right law who is an intern at the Chicago law firm of Kirkland & Allen.

Not much of a social life nor much friends.

One night, tagging along her pal, Avery Suhr (Kate Lyn Sheil) at a restaurant, she discovers her friend is a call girl; more than a few extra bucks. Intrigued, Christine opts to try it out.



Avery setting her up with her madam, Jacqueline (Alexandra Castillo).

What follows is Christine trying to balance her secrets and commitments; doors opening and doors closing. Is her future, law or personal entertainer?

Let me make this clear - Reade is not a victim.

She often comes across as cold, she's a calculating young woman who wants more out of life. Not cruel or driven by rage. Christine is not an emotional person; strong, confident, horny and loves money. There is morality, but it's flexible.

One of the plot points is her upgrading her address; moving from a small apartment to a lager one to an even larger one in a better location. But all of them have the same thing thing in common - it's spartan. Just barely any furniture, a utilitarian existence.

Could be seen as living a disposable life. Should be noted, the show is presented in very desaturated colors.



Before you ask. Yes, lots of nudity, this isn't a shy show.

As you can see from the DVD cover (exclusive) above, it does not say this is season one.

I'm thinking they did not know they were going to get renewed. So at the time, it was a self-contained series.

The home video release as mentioned above was on August 2nd. Starz announced their order for season two on August 1, 2016.



Season two premiered on November 5th, 2017. This is a soft-reboot though. Keough does not return. We are now following a new girl, Narges Rashidi as Darya Esford - same vocation.

This new season will follow two parallel story lines.

Kinda bummed out, would like to see more tales with her. We just get a taste of her family learning of her choice of employment.

Keough is great casting - just right, attractive, but not super model looking.

Christine straddles that line of being sometimes a bitch and human.



She has some serious hardships come her way; folks who try to hurt her and those who plot to steal from her.

One of the main story lines is Chelsea befriended by a rich man who want to take care of her - NOT a white knight. More like a father to a daughter - that he has sex with. It's complicated. He dies, leaving her some serious money.

But his son is fighting her for it, out of spite. She won't get a dime unless she admits she's a hooker. A fact that would destroy her life, socially and personal. Plus a running story line about her boss screwing her over and her law firm operating a shady medical account.

It was odd to see Mary Lynn Rajskub as Erin Roberts, a dirty lawyer (as in crooked, not sexy time). I'm so used to seeing her as Chloe O'Brian from "Twenty-Four" series.

Don't have cable so I can't speak of season two. But season one is a part of my collection and I would recommend it. Sway. The themes are mature and actions have consequences.

That's it. One of my shorter entries, but gets to the point.

Come back here on November 23rd, 2017 and bring some liquor with a good seat, we're gonna get schooled.

- - -

Update 09/19/19

While doing research for a future post, made a discovery. "The Girlfriend Experince" has been renewed for a third season which is set to air sometime in 2020. This news had slipped right past me.

Season two has yet to come out on home video. I hate when that happens. Season two had fourteen episodes. Season three will have ten. Do not know if this is another soft-reboot or a continuation.

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - November 14th, 2017


Atomic Blonde
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $22.99
Exclusive steelbook: 4K BD/BD/DC combo $27.99

Westworld: Season One (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $44.99

Cars 3 (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $22.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - November 14th, 2017


Atomic Blonde
Exclusive packaging wth four art cards; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

- - - - - - - - - - -

CDs - available now

"Taylor Swift - Reputation"; two exclusive magazine - album bundles; Volume 1 or Volume 2 $19.99 (each)

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - November 21st, 2017


Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

The Hitman's Bodyguard
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

Atomic Blonde (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $23.99

Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $29.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense


Brand new entry!

Ready to be schooled by sauced storytellers? No? You're out of luck; prepare for "Drunk History". Man this feels so right, before Thanksgiving.



"Drunk History: Season Three" was released on home video on March 1st, 2016.

It streeted against "Creed", "The Danish Girl", "The Night Before" and "Barbie: Spy Squad".

No slipcover nor insert issued.

No air dates shown, two discs - standard two disc case.

- - -

Single exclusive.



Amazon had a limited edition, lenticular slipcover for $27.99 on street; a blurry lenticular, through hazy eyes.

Original retail price for the regular edition was $21.99.

I am that anal - paid MORE (plus shipping and tax) just for a slipcase.

- - - - - - - - - -

Rant.

This is a Comedy Central show; B and C listed celebrities telling you (addressing the camera) about a point in history; an interview by Derek Waters (series creator).

Narrator is given an open bar - encouraged to drink; more often than not, comedy gold.

The audio from that down spiral interview is used as frame work for a reenactment with other celebrities.

Slurred inebriations, bizarre tangents where even the actors doing the reenactment have a WTF expressions. Reenactments on a budget and it shows, which is part of the charm; Waters usually one of the players.

Season three was the last where Waters visited a U.S. city, go sight seeing (at bars) talking with locals about the historic topics to be covered, mixed lot.

Four jumps right into the speaker's home, chatting, then story time.

A moment sticks out - "Atlanta" from season one, episode three (July 23rd, 2013).

Derek lightly chats with this redhead with glasses. Seen briefly earlier, kissed by a gay black man, who proclaims - she's the first woman he's ever kissed; very tipsy.



She's attractive. Went to the then IMDb message board, looking - anybody knew who this woman is? Was not alone, no answer.

- - -

Teachers are Jenny Slate, Dan Harmon, Mark Proksch, Greg Worswick, Tess Lynch, Jessica Meraz, Allan McLeod, David Wain, Mark Gagliardi, Laura Steinel, Jen Kirkman, Jeremy Konner, Brendon Walsh and Matt Gourley to name a few.

Subjects: Union Army Balloon Corps, Clark Gable, Juan Ponce de León, Harriet Tubman, pinball prohibition (that was a real thing), newsboys' strike of 1899, Rin Tin Tin (dog actor, 1920s), Roswell UFO crash, Moulin Rouge Hotel and creation of the bra; you get the idea.

Three lessons per episode. *smiles*

Actress Pager Brewster is a favorite; a friend of Waters, ripping into him for getting her so drunk.

- - -

Months after buying did I learn it wasn't canceled. Season four aired in September of 2016 - came to DVD on March 14th, 2017, bought (no exclusive).

Doing research, discovered season five was green lit. As far I know, it's in the can, but no premiere date. There is however "Drunk History Christmas Special" (hour long) will air November 28th, 2017.

To be expected, I will buy season five when it hits DVD, sometime next year.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tangent.

Short PT entry, decided to talk about something lost to me for twenty-five plus years, re-found a few years ago.

In 2014, had internet mojo to isolate a 1975 stop-motion Norwegian flick.

Mentioned in the Past Tense for "Custer: The Complete Series" ("Part I" - "Part II"); a TV program watched as a kid, "Family Film Festival".

Early 1980s - KTLA (Los Angeles); Channel 5; host Tom Hatten would screen a movie and inbetween commercials gave various trivia. Aired on the weekends; 3pm on Saturdays and repeated 10am the next day; two hour long broadcasts. Not always, but sometimes an interview with a cast member - chatting about the film. Hatten exposed me to so many movies.

"Family Film Festival" lasted fourteen years on the air.

Holy crap!

Found the air date! February 19th, 1983 - checked; yup it's a Saturday!



On that date, "The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix" aired. The movie, dubbed in English is eight-four minutes long.

Story is about an inventor, Theodore Rimspoke, a bicycle repairman - discovers his former assistant, Rudolph Gore-Slimey has stolen his design for a race car engine. His name should've been a dead giveaway.

Rudolph became a world champion Formula One driver. Pissed, Theodore set off to join a race against Rudolph, but has no car. So he and his assistant, Sonny Duckworth - forage junk piles and constructs a speed car from scraps and bike parts. The race is on to prove himself and shame Gore-Slimey.

A world where animals have human qualities.

When I found, went hunting.



Released on DVD in 2001 (two disc set) as "Caprino's World of Adventure: Part 1 - The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix". Audio is in Swedish, English and Danish; Dolby Digital 2.0 each. As I understand, came with a slipcover.

A region 0 disc, presented in widescreen, released from Caprino Studios.

I need to buy. The race inspired the pod race in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999).

- - -

Rabbit hole...

"Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" (1956) was shown there; Hatten had star Kevin McCarthy as a guest, interviewing about the making and career.



Think I've isolated; interview took place in 1985. Based on their conversation; McCarthy had just come from a floating theater cruise on the "Royal Viking Sea"; fourteen days, September 7th - 21st. McCarthy played Harry Truman in "Give 'Em Hell Harry". The 21st was a Saturday, no time to be on the show/taping, but could happen for the following week.

My impression - "Invasion" broadcast with interview; aired on September 28th, 1985.

That interview (edited as one piece, 7:24 minutes [from a VHS source?]) appears in the first official DVD release from Republic Entertainment, Inc., 1998 for $14.98; their "Silver Screen Classics" collection.

Remastered, presented in non-anamorphic widescreen and full screen; double sided disc.

Came with the trailer and a two page chapter listing insert with trivia.



First pressing had a holographic foil wraparound, an attention getter. It took me nearly a year, off and on attempts to get that first release. Lost X amount of money on Ebay, but was worth it.

Republic re-released it with a regular, matted wraparound - exact, same artwork. Then got more complicated.

Yeah.

In 2000 Artisan Home Entertainment got the rights for the whole package.



Was re-re-released it with slightly different artwork. Same deal and extras, double sided (still non-anamorphic).

To complicate matters, all three versions share the same UPC# 0 17153-20182 6; which is what most folks were using for their Ebay listings.

*shakes head*



Wouldn't be until 2012 it received an anamorphic release; DVD and BD from Olive Films; $19.95/$29.95 (UPCs# 8 87090-03430 2; 8 87090-03900 0). Remastered again.

Interview did not carry over.

Olive release is bare bones. Not even the trailer.

I need to get that for the better picture quality, NOT getting rid of my '98 DVD.



Lost to the digital ether, exclusive to the obsolete laser disc format - a commentary. In 1986 (re-released in 1988; same price; second edition above), Criterion Collection put out an LD set, $74.95; a gatefold jacket (UPC# 0 20350-01116 7) - a three disc CAV set.

Commentary by film professor Maurice Yacowar, interview with director Don Siegel and a featurette showcasing the difference between full screen and widescreen - using film scenes to illustrate. Writer Jeff Rovin in his book, "The Laserdisc Film Guide: Complete Ratings For The Best And Worst Movies Available On Disc: 1993 - 1994 Edition" (1993; St. Martin's Press), called Yacowar's commentary... "full of pretentious baloney."

Yacowar's lecture try to make it into something larger than a low budget, sci-fi flick.

My quest to own Republic, ended up with both editions. So I move them into a transparent DVD case.

The 1998 foil on the outside and the 2000 wraparound shown on the inside; best of both worlds - booklet too.

Come back here on December 7th, 2017 for transgressions in black and white. *wink* Have an decent Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday - should you go. Till next.

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - November 28th, 2017


How The Grince Stole Christmas (live action)
Exclusive Grinch beanie box set; BD/DC combo $19.99

Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $29.99

Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
Exclusive store release; 4k BD/BD combo $49.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - November 26th, 2017


CDs available now

"Amy Grant - Tennessee Christmas" with 2 exclusive bonus tracks $8.00
"Lindsey Stirling - Warmer In The Winter" with 2 exclusive bonus tracks $10.00

[JohnIan101]

Target - December 5th, 2017


Dispicable Me 3
Exclusive bonus DVD, character cards and rub on tattoos; BD/DVD/DC combo $22.99

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - December 5th, 2017


Dispicable Me 3
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

Dispicable Me
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $12.99

Dispicable Me 2
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $12.99

American Assassin
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD combo $24.99

Illumination Presents: 3-Movie Collection (Dispicable Me 1 - 3)
Exclusive 4k release $49.99

Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD combo $69.99

Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $39.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - Dangers In Black And White Part II




FYE/Suncoast offered exclusive packaging and premiums, "Back Alley Poker Pack" (sounds very anal); a deck of "Sin City" playing cards and fifteen poker chips with the box edition. Sold for $24.99.

Sorry about the image, but it was the best I find (and it needed work).

I had an opportunity to buy this years ago. But I turned it down.

Kinda regret not getting it, but it is still affordable. Man, at one point (May of 2013) - this thing sold for $78.00 new from Amazon resellers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Rant.

Man, this was a movie that had so much momentum - that fizzled out; to the point where it's just a gimmick. No longer special.



The sequel, "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For" took far too long to come out on August 22nd, 2014. And that originally had an October 4th, 2013 theatrical release.

Why?

The reason for the rescheduling is probably because filming didn't begin in the Summer of 2012 as expected. It did not start until the end of October that year. They needed enough time for post-production effects.

But I suspect the studio wanted more done since the movie is weak compared the first.

Anyhow, in between that 2005 release you had "The Spirit" (2008), another Frank Miller flick, done with the same highly stylized visuals. But that feature pretty much bombed at the box office and that had a PG-13 rating. With that failure, "A Dame" comes out five years later - seven year too late.

The visuals were no longer fresh or new.

And it continues to fizzle.

In late May of this year, it was announcement that a TV series was in the works.

Pretty sure the project is dead, plugged pulled with all the Harvey Weinstein developments. Was to be made by Dimension which is owned by Weinstein Company... Harvey and his brother Bob were also going to be show producers. Both now fired from their company.

Glen Mazarra and Stephen Heureux were going to be the show runners. Len Wiseman was going to direct the pilot and a show runners too. As well as Frank Miller.

Wiseman is probably best known as the director of "Underworld" (2003) and a show runner for "Sleepy Hollow" (2013) on Fox. He also directed the pilot for "Sleepy Hollow" which was badass - quite sway. Then the show got worse. What kind of incriminating photos did they have to secure a forth season???

One was great. Two was good. Third was okay. Forth was just going through the motions.

As I understand the pilot was not filmed and no network or cable channel had ordered the series. Did not get beyond the script stage. This was not a continuation of the movies, but a full reboot, rooted in the source comics.

"Sin City" is a solid flick, does what it sets out to do, looks great, but is now rather common. You can get the same effects on your laptop. But back then it was so inventive. I own that Unrated box ("Back Alley Poker"), bought on release day from Wal-Mart.

I may be alone, but I enjoyed the Audience Reaction commentary.

Most loved it, but there were a few which didn't, since it seems like it was all about the effects and less about story.

It's kind of a set-'em-up, knock-'em-down kind of movie - three stories which are pretty similar, so it gets repetitive and feels too long. There are lots of acts of violence, but for the most part they're very cartoonish, so we can squirm happily and know that nothing's really at stake - certainly not our notions of the world or anything. This is the part that bugs me: stuff like this and "Kill Bill" are these constructs, these exercises, just as much as something like "Wimbledon" or "Summer Catch" are. It doesn't bother me so much that we as an audience we will go see a fluffy romantic comedy as it does that the better directors in the machine are now cranking out vengeance scenarios with witless but kind of inventive brutality, and that's our popcorn. I'm not thrilled with what that says.

- Abcdefz1



For a movie which had such casual nudity, the one person, guys (and some gals) wanted - didn't... Jessica Alba. Don't give me that look. It's a guy thing. The closest we have ever gotten was the nip-slip in "Into The Blue" (2005).

Yeah, we did see that blink or miss it moment.

*oink*

One more thing, the November 2008 issue of Empire magazine (British), published the results of a world-wide poll of the "500 Greatest Movies Of All Time"; "Sin City" ranked 274th.

And that's it. Come back here on December 21st, 2017 for the lackluster sequel. Hey's it's something. See you then.

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Update - July 28th, 2018.

In late July it was announced that Lantern Capital Partner who bought up TWC's portfolio now have a settlement from Frank Miller. The rights for first movie, "Sin City" revert to Miller as well as any future TV series. BUT not the second film, "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For". It is unknown if Miller will retry making it a show.

TWC being The Weinstein Company.

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - December 12th, 2017


Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD/DC combo $29.99
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DC combo $17.99
(all appear to have the same artwork)

Game Of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season
Exclusive three different sigils (Dragonstone red or cream and other); BD only $44.99 (each)

Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD combo $69.99
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $39.99

Dispicable Me 3 (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

Westworld: Season One (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $32.99